International Women’s Day gives us all the opportunity to pause and examine the opportunities presented to women across all industries, and reaffirm our commitment to gender equality.  It is important that the accounting profession uses this opportunity to take stock and recognise how far we’ve come in addressing some of the inequality, but also how far we still have to go. According to the most recent survey by The Financial Reporting Council (UK) the percentage of women studying accounting worldwide was 49% and yet they made up just 27% of partners within accounting firms. Our profession is not alone in trying to shake the stereotypes of yesteryear; today only 23.3% of Board positions are held by women globally. * (2020 Global Board Diversity Tracker)

"It is a privilege to see our firms working hard, and investing heavily in HR practices and recruitment, to pave the way for women to thrive"

It is a privilege to see our firms working hard, and investing heavily in HR practices and recruitment, to pave the way for women to thrive. Last year we saw PKF Texas named as a 2020 Best Firm for Women by Accounting Today and PKF aliz pacific hitting the headlines when Managing Partner, Dr Ali, presented a plaque of recognition from Women in Business (Fiji) to the Prime Minister of New Zealand. PKF Australia are also reaping the rewards of their ‘young leaders’ programme with the recent promotion of three female rising stars to the position of Partner, all of whom are now passionately driving the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Agenda and paving the way for future leaders. 

Slightly closer to home, I have recently handed over the reins to the new CEO of PKF South Africa, Candice Unsworth, who has achieved her personal and career goals through embracing opportunity and truly living the PKF values of working with passion and utmost integrity.  It’s wonderful to see Candice promoting International Women’s Day and sharing why she is ‘Choosing To Challenge’ this year, as well as inviting others to share their thoughts across our social media channels.

Surely the last 12 months has taught us all that anything is possible. We must now do everything we can to promote the entry of women to our profession, and allow them to thrive.

This International Women’s Day, I ‘Choose To Challenge.’